| Some authors think a book editor's job is to | | | | developmental editor is done, the book should be |
| correct spelling and punctuation, but a book editor | | | | ready to be sent to a copyeditor. |
| does so much more. Yes, part of their job is | | | | Do you need both? No. Some authors will only |
| proofreading a manuscript and correcting spelling, | | | | need a copyeditor. Depending on their writing skills, |
| punctuation, and grammar errors; however, a | | | | some may need different levels of copy editing, |
| book editor is also a fact checker and a | | | | from basic to heavy line editing, and even |
| manuscript doctor. In addition, there are different | | | | occasional ghostwriting. |
| levels and types of book editors. | | | | Depending on the type of editing desired, what |
| Copyeditor: Basic copyediting involves reviewing | | | | should be a book editor charge? The following |
| text and correcting spelling, grammar, and | | | | book editor rates were suggested by the Editorial |
| punctuation. A copyeditor will read your entire | | | | Freelancers Association in 2008: |
| manuscript, checking for consistency, redundancy, | | | | Basic copyediting: $25 to $40 per hour Pace: 5 to |
| flow, transition, and the proper use of words. He | | | | 10 pages an hour |
| or she will ensure that the proper tense and tone | | | | Heavy copyediting: $35 to $50 per hour Pace: 2 |
| are maintained throughout the book, and provide | | | | to 5 pages an hour |
| suggestions or copywriting to smoothly transition | | | | Substantive editing: $40 to $65 per hour Pace: 1 |
| from one thought to the next. Some copyeditors | | | | to 6 pages per hour |
| are asked to fact check statistics and sources | | | | (also called line editing) |
| within the book for accuracy. The copyeditor is | | | | Developmental editing: $50 to $80 per hour Pace: |
| also skilled at eliminating confusion, providing clarity, | | | | 2 to 5 pages per hour |
| and making sure the author doesn't lose the | | | | Of course, rates vary from one book editor to |
| reader's interest. Skilled copyeditors are proficient | | | | another. Some freelance book editors will work |
| in maintaining the author's style and tone, while | | | | for $10 to $20 per hour, but you can expect |
| polishing the manuscript and improving the copy. | | | | experienced book editors to charge $25 or more |
| Developmental Editor: While the copyeditor | | | | per hour. Expect to pay more for editing technical |
| receives the book after it has been written, a | | | | writing or specialized subject matter, as well. |
| developmental editor is involved with the writing | | | | A book editor is an expense that you should |
| process, sometimes before the author has even | | | | include in the costs to write and publish your book. |
| begun to write the book. Developmental editing | | | | Their expertise often means the difference |
| involves the entire development and organization | | | | between an okay book and an exceptional book. |
| of the book, the characters, the story line, and | | | | If you want your book to give you credibility, |
| the pace in which it is told. The developmental | | | | secure the services of an experienced book |
| editor often suggests the order in which the | | | | editor who will polish it and make your book the |
| chapters are presented, as well as the overall | | | | very best it can be. |
| content, flow, and arrangement of text. When the | | | | |